Is there such a thing as too muscular?

Yes, njqt, turn to the dark side, drink the sweet protein drink. And what is considered working out a lot?
I think you are making some generalizations here. I like to talk about health related things myself, hopefully not as much as the people you reference here. But it's no worse than someone talking too much about any hobby they have.

Love big muscled guys --- the look, the feel!

What you need to keep in mind is your "too muscular" example is taken when the guy was posing, flexing his muscles. (They practice posing like that flexing all of their muscles.) He probably also did exercises right before the pose to pump up his muscles to look even bigger. If you met him on the street in clothes he wouldn't look that big.

Your "just right" example isn't flexing his muscles. If he flexed like the guy in too muscular example his arms and shoulders would look pretty big also.

What I'm saying is there isn't that much difference, it's just the way the pictures were taken. It's kind of like the women models we see in pictures wouldn't in real life look that much better than other women.

I would say, honestly, that for those that don't like 'muscular' guys, I would hope that you would realize that for some, there arent a lot of options.

Some are genetically predisposed to look a certain way, even if they work out...at least naturally.

Myself for instance: I had no choice but to get bigger working out, as I have had thick legs and a thick ass all my life, but a fairly small waist. So if I wanted to look good, I was going to have to bring the upper body into proportion with the lower. I am 5'8", so mass is going to look fairly large on me.

I look at the body-builders with mixed feelings (something I have been thinking on lately as I map out fitness goals for 2008). I think it might have something to do with male vs. female perceptions of why men bulk up or manipulate what their bodies look like. For instance, many of the women seem to believe that a man that puts a lot of work into his body really is going to be an asshole or someone who won't pay any attention to them.

I know some gay men that think the same way, strangely enough. In fact, a good friend of mine (who is constantly trying to get my partnered off to someone..LOL) says he prefers his partner (5 years together) to have a bit of padding on them and NOT be into working out, so he won't leave. LOL...seriously, he was only partially joking here. I would, politely, ask those of you in this camp if there any sort of insecurities or concerns at work here?

I like a man that puts work into his body, with a powerful build. He doesn't have to be Fitness model perfect (hell, my own body fat is greater than 10 %), but I like to have something substantial and firm to hold.

I am kinda rambling, but I will say this: You could be right about the guy that works out being an asshole...but you might stop to think about why each individual guy works out. The answer will tell you a lot about if he is going to be an asshole or not :)

I liked your just right choice, TMM.
Someone mentioned swimmers' bodies. I've always liked their smoothness ... a real feeling of strength there, usually, without giving the sense that you're talking to a gym rat.
Now, I wouldn't mind talking to a serious body builder, but more for the novelty's sake than the expectation of finding them personally interesting. (Of course, some are interesting, but most are pretty self-involved.)
I like the feeling that someone takes care of their body, but not that the body has become the axis of an onrolling game of oneupmanship.
The tragedy is that those who are obsessed with their bodies are never satisfied; they don't even get pleasure from all the work they've done, because they always want more ... definition, muscularity, symmetry, and what not.

EDIT: Actually, I've known a few guys who were so naturally muscular that, with only a bit of resistance training, they looked like gym rats. But they weren't; most people putting in the gym time they did, would show only modest results.
I don't want to generalize.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TattooedMamaMeg I think that there is definitely such thing as too thin or too muscular. My examples are below.

I agree with you 100%! Your examples are spot on!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jovial Yes, njqt, turn to the dark side, drink the sweet protein drink. And what is considered working out a lot?

Given that I have expounded for hours via PM with you about a variety of topics I don't think you are in danger of becoming like either of the men I mentioned previously.

FYI: I think this guy is fit and nicely muscled.

Another kind of guy that I find attractive are the big stocky guys who look ripped with clothes on, but they're really not THAT cut... they're muscular, yeah, but still kinda "soft"... the lines between their muscles are soft. If I can find a picture, I'll post it.

Ah... here's a good example of what I was just talking about. Muscular, but soft...

Attached Images

Tasty..jpg (128.5 KB, 459 views)

usually don't bother with names, but that one I'd ask for name and tel #

Each to their own.....my younger brother has won several titles for his body building, he has enjoyed it from the age of fourteen, he is now forty eight and still going...strong. The sport has a large following, but previous comments are right. It is a sport that treats your body poorly if you cease your training regimen incorrectly. I've never been in a gym in my life, or worked out....my work out I spose is my occupation...(and sex)

haha! Ive always equated body building with health, I know this isnt true but, muscles do make someone look healthy, It can be taken to far though.

Well, brislands, you're not so developed that you look grotesque.
I can like this, for example. (Hope you don't mind me posting a shot from your gallery.)
But someone like Tom Platz (remember him?) is just too much.
A matter of degree.
(You're at the high end, though. I could like the photograph, but be a little intimidated if I bumped into you at a swimming pool. I'd have to talk for a minute or two to get past that, I think. Just sayin'.)

Ah... here's a good example of what I was just talking about. Muscular, but soft...
Attached Imageshttp://www.lpsg.org/images36/attach/jpg.gifTasty..jpg (128.5 KB, 1 views)
Oooo, baby! Cum to mama! Now that's a good looking man.